The Race for the 40th Senate District Is On
| California's 40th State Senate district | |||
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) | |||
| Current senator |
| ||
| Population (2010) • Voting age • Citizen voting age | 935,055[1] 671,129[1] 466,879[1] | ||
| Demographics |
| ||
| Registered voters | 486,524[2] | ||
| Registration | 46.49% Democratic 19.15% Republican 28.31% No party preference | ||
Sacramento Report: The Race for the 40th Senate District Is On | Voice of San Diego
Brian Jones is currently serving in the California State Senate, which is subject to term limits under Proposition 28 (2012). Here’s what prevents him from running again for the same seat:
Term Limits Under California Law
- California legislators can serve a maximum of 12 years in the State Legislature (combined between the Assembly and Senate).
- Jones first served in the State Assembly (2010-2016) and later in the State Senate (2018-present).
- Since he has already served 12 years in total (6 in the Assembly + 6 in the Senate by 2026), he cannot run for re-election in 2026.
This means he is ineligible to run for another term in the Senate unless he seeks a different office.
For more on California’s legislative term limits:
Senator Brian Jones has been actively serving California's 40th State Senate District since December 5, 2022, following his re-election. ballotpedia.org
As the Senate Minority Leader, a position he's held since 2022, Jones has focused on several key initiatives:Legislative Efforts: Jones has sponsored legislation aimed at reducing the cost of living, addressing homelessness, tackling rising crime, and restoring educational excellence.
Public Safety: In February 2025, he introduced the "Safety Before Criminal Sanctuary" bill, seeking to modify California's sanctuary state law to enhance cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.
Veteran Recognition: Jones honored local veterans, naming Paula Jansen and Tony Teravainen as Senate District 40's "Veterans of the Year" in November 2024, acknowledging their continued community service post-military.
Throughout his tenure, Jones has maintained a strong pro-business stance, consistently receiving high ratings from the California Chamber of Commerce. Notably, he achieved a perfect score in 2019 and a 90% score in 2020 for his alignment with the Chamber's positions on major job, business, and economic measures.
While specific approval ratings for Jones' performance in the 40th District are not readily available, his legislative actions and leadership roles indicate a commitment to addressing the district's concerns.
Replacement Candidates
Three candidates are running to replace him:
-
Ed Musgrove (Republican): San Marcos City Councilmember and former Sheriff's Captain. Focuses on transportation improvements through "microtransit" services, infrastructure investment, and reducing red tape for affordable housing. Endorsed by outgoing Senator Jones.
-
Marni von Wilpert (Democrat): San Diego City Councilmember representing the Fifth District. Former deputy city attorney who chairs the city's public safety committee. Priorities include wildfire prevention and improved implementation of state homeless and mental health programs.
-
Kristie Bruce-Lane (Republican): Former Olivenhain Municipal Water District board member who previously ran unsuccessfully for Assembly. Founded the Thumbprint Project Foundation to help homeless children affected by domestic violence.
The 40th District is politically competitive, with nearly equal numbers of registered Democrats (207,298) and Republicans (206,455), plus 141,316 voters with no party preference. The district includes parts of East County, North County, and San Diego City.
Marni von Wilpert is the only candidate with a direct connection to Rancho Peñasquitos. She currently represents San Diego's Fifth District on the City Council, which explicitly includes Rancho Peñasquitos among the neighborhoods in her district. The article specifically mentions that her district includes "Carmel Mountain Ranch, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Peñasquitos, Scripps Ranch and other neighborhoods."
Marni von Wilpert has been a member of the San Diego City Council since December 2020, representing District 5. Her tenure is marked by several notable achievements:
Achievements on the San Diego City Council:
-
Ghost Gun Legislation: Marni authored a pioneering law aimed at curbing the influx of untraceable "ghost guns" into San Diego, enhancing public safety in the community.
-
H.O.P.E. Grant Program: In February 2025, she announced the Homeownership Opportunities for Professional Educators (H.O.P.E.) grant program. This initiative provides over $40,000 in down payment assistance to teachers in the San Diego and Poway Unified School Districts, addressing the high cost of living and supporting educators in purchasing their first homes.
-
Infrastructure Improvements: Marni has been instrumental in adding new parks and expediting road repairs, contributing to the enhancement of neighborhood amenities and infrastructure.
Aspirations as a State Senator:
Marni von Wilpert has declared her candidacy for California's 40th State Senatorial district in the 2026 election. citeturn0search16 While specific details of her state senate platform are not extensively documented in the available sources, her track record on the City Council suggests a continued focus on public safety, education, and infrastructure.
Potential Successors for Her City Council Seat:
As of now, there is limited publicly available information regarding potential candidates who might run to replace Marni von Wilpert on the San Diego City Council, should she be elected to the State Senate. Given that the election is slated for 2026, it is anticipated that prospective candidates will announce their intentions as the date approaches.
Neither Ed Musgrove nor Kristie Bruce-Lane appear to have a direct connection to Rancho Peñasquitos based on the information provided. Musgrove represents the fourth district on the San Marcos City Council, which includes Twin Oaks Valley. Bruce-Lane's background mentions her role with the Olivenhain Municipal Water District board, but no direct connection to Rancho Peñasquitos is stated.
If elected to the 40th Senate District, all three candidates would represent Rancho Peñasquitos, as the article notes that the district includes "parts of San Diego" along with several other cities and communities.
Comments
Post a Comment